Facsimile telegraph system and  apparatus



a W n 2 m E 1 2 N1 R e M :2: 1 m m R m IGR. A s 7 G. H. RIDINGS ETALFACSIMILE TELEGRAPH SYSTEM AND APPARATUS Original Filed June 4, 1942FIG.

1945- G. H. RIDINGS ET AL FACSIMILE TELEGRAPH SYSTEM AND APPARATUSOriginal Filed June 4, 1942 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS c. H. RIDINGSR.J.W|SE

ATTORNEY Dec. 17, 1946.

G. H. RIDINGS ET AL. Re 22,819

FACSIMILE TELEGRAPH SYSTEM AND APPARATUS Original Filed June 4, 1942 '7Sheets-Sheet 5 PIC-L6 INVENTORSI 2|9 G.H.R|D|NGS Dec. 17, 1946. G. H.RIDINGS ET AL Re FACSIMILE TELEGRAPH SYSTEM AND APPARATUS I vsheets-sheet 4 Original Filed June 4, 1942 PIC-1,8

FIG. 7

INVENTORS G. H.RIDINGS R'.J.W|SE

Dec. 17, 1946.

G. H. RIDINGS ET AL I Re 22,819 FACSIMILE TELEGRAPH SYSTEM AND APPARATUS'7 SheetsShet 5 Original Filed June 4, 1942 INVENTORS G.H.RIDINGS R. J.W|SE

Dec. 17, 1946. G. H. RIDINGS ET AL Re 1 FACSIMILE TELEGRAPH SYSTEM ANDAPPARATUS Original Filed June 4, 1942 7 Sheets-Sheet T INVERTER AMPUFIERAMPLIFIER INVENTORS G. H. RI 0| NGS R.J W|SE UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEFACSIMILE TELEGRAPH SYSTEM AND APPARATUS Garvice H. Ridings, Summit, andRaleigh J. Wise, Dunellen, N. J assignors to The Western Union TelegraphCompany, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Original No.2,386,263, dated October 9, 1945,. Serial No. 445,690, June 4, 1942.Application for reissue July 18, 1946, Serial No. 684,420

19 Claims. (01. 178-615) I 1 2 This invention relates to automaticfacsimile those skilled in the art and are accomplished by telegraphsystems and apparatus, and has parthe present invention, one embodimentof which ticular reference to afacsimile telegraph system is illustratedin the accompanying drawings, in in which means are provided forselecting a dewhich: sired automatic recorder and transmitting a mes-Fig. 1 is a fragmentary front elevation of a sage or plurality ofmessages thereto. facsimile transmitter for use in the system of Thenovel system disclosed hereinafter as an this invention; important partof the present invention com- Fig. 2 is a fragmentary transverse sectionon prises a transmitter station employing an autoline 22 of Fig. 1,looking in the direction of the matic facsimile transmitter and aplurality of arrows; receiver stations each employing an automatic Fig.'3 is an enlarged partial sectional View on self-loading recorder. Thesystem is so arranged line 33 of Fig. 2; that any one of these recordersmay be selected Fig. 4 is an enlarged partial sectional view on forreception of a message from the transmitline 44 of Fig. 2; ter, andmeans are provided for automatically 1.5 'Fig. 5 is a View in frontelevation of an autosending one or more copies of the message. A maticfacsimile receiver for use in the system of signaling device is includedat each receiver stathis invention, certain of the parts being removedtion for sending to the transmitter station a prefor the sake ofclearness of illustration; determined identifying code to notify theopera- Fig. 6 is a transverse section on line 6-6 of tor at thetransmitter station of the selection of Fig. 5, looking in the directionof the rows; the desired receiver station. This return or an- Fig. '7 isan enlarged fragmentary section on swer-back signal is or may bemodified to indie of 3 a illustrates a detail; cate to the operator atthe transmitter station Fi 8 i n nlar d fr y section on that apreviously transmitted message has been line 8-8 of Fig. received by theproper person. It will be under- 9 is an a d fragmentary SeCtiOII 0Hstood that the term message as used herein line f may refer to writtenor printed matter, pictures 10 s Partial Section on line Di anddrawings, or any other subject matter to be of reproduced by thefacsimile process The 5375- Fig. 11 ShOWS a recording blank for use inthe tem of this invention is particularly useful for machine 1 lrailroad dispatching service, but its usefulness is 1S Wirmg dlagramShowms one t limited to this particular field cuit arrangement for atransmitter adapted to An object of the present invention is to controlthe selection and operation of any one vide for transmission from anautomatic trans of a number of receiversfrom the transmitting mitter to.one of a plurality of automatic selfa cmmuniQatin c1rcuit; loadingrecorders. this communication being ob- F g. 13 is a wiring diagramShOWlIlg one cirtained by Selective process cult arrangement forselecting and condit1on1ng A further object is to provide an improvedau- Operation; and l tomatic facsimile telegraph receiver capable of F14 15 a Wlrmg dlagram show-mg one being selected for communicationpurposes and 4,. out arrangement for controlling and operating of beingcontrolled from a remote point such, for the recelverexample, as atransmitter Station The system of this invention comprisesa transtmanother object is to provide an answer mitting station employing atransmitter ID (Figs. back arrangement whereby a Selected receiver 1, 2and 12), a communication circuit L composed station automaticallytransmits a set of predeterf line conductors LI and L2, a plurality ofreceivmined identifying signals. ing stations at each of which is aselector and con- Still another object of the present invention is trolmechanism l d a a ma a y s wn y to modify the answer-back signal so asto furnish ig. 13, a d. a recorder M, th essential m a information tothe operator at the transmitter cal parts and electrical Wiring of whichare shown station. 5U by Figs. 5 to 10 and 14. The transmitter may Stillanother object of the present invention is he installed at any point ona railroad line, for to provide for predetermining the number ofexample, in the dispatchers office or in a railroad times transmissionof a given message will be austation, and the recorders may be placed insmall, tomaticallyrepeated. weather-proof houses along the railroad lineat These and other objects will be apparent to; i varying distances fromthe transmitter. The

may be similar to the recorder disclosed in the copending application ofR. J. Wise et al., Serial No. 389,164, filed April 18, 1941. Thestructural and circuit details of the recorder not disclosed at thepresent time by an issued patent will be described hereinafter for thesake of completeness of this disclosure.

The conductors LI and L2 of the communication circuit L are usedsimultaneously for the transmission of alternating current facsimilesignals or message impulses, and, also, the direct current controlsignals by which the selection of the recorder and the operation of thetransmitting and recording apparatus is controlled. The facsimilesignals originate in the transmitter at the photoelectric cell l8 (Fig.12) which is connected to an amplifier IS, the output circuit of whichis connected through a pair of blocking condensers 20 to the conductorsLI and L2. The purpose of the blocking condensers is to isolate thealternating current facsimile signals from the direct current controlsignals. At the receiving station the line conductors are connected to asignal inverter 2! and an amplifier 22. A transformer 23 couples theamplifier to the recording circuit.

The polarity of the direct current potentials which are applied to theconductor Ll is controlled by apparatus at the receiving station for thepurpose of operating a polar relay 24 connected to this conductor at thetransmitting station. Similarly, the polarity of the direct currentpotentials, which are applied to the conductor L2, is controlled by theapparatus at the transmitting station for the purpose of operating apolar relay 25, forming a part of the selector apparatus, and a polarrelay 26 of a selected receiver. Each of these polar relays is of thethreeposition type whereby the tongue is moved to one extreme contact inresponse to one polarity of potential, to the other extreme contact inre- V the transmitting station is located in a box or housing 21 adaptedto be mounted on any suitable support such, for example, as a wall orpedestal. The mechanical features and details of the transmitterselected for purposes of illustration are similar to those disclosed andclaimed in Patent No. 2,262,715, above-mentioned, and reference is madethereto for a detailed mechanical description. In the presentdisclosure, electr cal c Q -i details necessary to a completeunderstanding of this invention are shown by Fig. 12. A slot 28 (Fig.1), accessible from the front of the box 21,

is connected with a chute 29 which extends to a point adjacent a messagescanning cylinder 30 adapted to be driven through suitable gearing (notshown) by a synchronous or other speedcontrolled motor 3|. The scanningcylinder, the motor and the remaining parts of the transmitter mentionedhereinafter are diagrammatically shown in Fig. 12 of the drawings. Thephotocell 18, the exciter lamp 33 and the associated optical mechanismare mounted on a scanning carriage 34, which is movable longitudinallyof the rotary cylinder 30 to scan a message thereon. A light chopper 36driven by a motor 31 forms a part of the scanning mechanism.

The scanning carriage 34 is moved longitudinally of the cylinder 30 inany known manner by a rotary feed screw driven by the synchronous motor31 and adapted to be connected to the ca riage by a half-nut which isbrought into engagement with the feed screw by the armature of thehalf-nut operating magnet 39. The slot 28 giving access to the chute 29is normally closed by a closure slide 4| connected to the end of thearmature 42 of a chute closure magnet 43. A spring 44 holds the slide inthe chute closing position when the magnet is deenergized. The scanningcylinder 30 is preferably provided with a circumferential series ofsheet holding teeth similar to the sheet holding teeth of the recordershown in Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawings and the issued patent referred toabove. These teeth engage a message sheet 4'! fed downwardly through thechute 29 and cause it to be wrapped in position around the cylinder 30,as diagrammatically indicated in Fig. 12. As described in theabove-mentioned patent, the sheet is preferably so formed as to requirebeing inserted in the chute in the way necessary to insure its beingproperly positioned on the cylinder for correct transmission of themessage subject matter. It will be understood, however, that any knownmeans for securing the sheet on the cylinder 30 may be employed. Whenthe sheet 41 is on the cylinder, it closes the contacts of a switch 48.When no message sheet is on the cylinder, the operating arm 49 for theswitch 48 is accommodated by a groove in the 50 cylinder 30.

' When a message sheet on the cylinder 30 is to be removed, it isstripped from the cylinder by a stripper blade formed on or by thearmature of a stripper magnet 5i. Details of a similar 55 stripper bladeare illustrated by Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawings. The dimensions of themessage sheet 41 are such that a gap is left between the edges of thesheet that is wrapped around the cylinder. The message sheet is strippedfrom the 60 cylinder by energizing the magnet 5| which moves thestripper blade into position against the cylinder so that its edge slipsunder the edge of the message sheet and peels it from the cylinder.

' When peeled from the cylinder, the sheet pref- 65 erably falls into abin or the like where it remeans until collected by an authorized personhaving access to the bin through a locked'closure or the like.

The copy selecting and starting switch I! or 70 the present inventionprovides a means for automatically transmitting a desired number ofcopies to a recorder selected by the dial mechanism l6.

' and the selector and control mechanism I2. The

switch I! is secured by lugs 53 to a channel mem- 7 her 54 carried bythe frame of the transmitter Ill.

shaft as shown. The range of movement of the wiper arm is limited, inthe illustrative embodiment, to six contact studs by a stop arm 64 whichengages the posts 66 separating the plates and 58. The upper portion ofthe shaft 56 projects above the sloping top- 61 of a cover member 68andis provided with an operating knob or harm dle 69. A dial in the formof appropriate markings I2 cooperates with a pointer 13 formed on thehandle 69 or other suitable means to indicate the position of the wiperarm 59.

To provide for advancing the wiper arm 59 one step upon completion of ascanning operation, a ratchet wheel H having ratchet teeth I6 is securedto the shaft 55. A jockey roller II carried by an arm 18 pivoted at 80is pressed into the notches between the ratchet teeth by a spring vI9.The free end 8i of the pivoted armature 82 of a stepping magnet 33 ispositioned to press against the flank of a tooth 16 of the ratchet wheelwithout interference from the adjacent flank of the next succeedingtooth when the mag net 83 is energized to advance the shaft angularly byan amount equal to the angular spacing between the ratchet teeth. Aspring .8 3 biases the armature out of engagement with the ratchetwheel. When the stepping magnet 23 is deenergized, the wiper arm 59 maybe manually moved over the contact studs without interference from thearmature 82. A spring 85 keeps the end iii of the armature in positivelaterally.

A pair of openings or windows 86 in the front of the box 26 is providedwith signs 8! and 83 for giving information concerning transmission ofthe message to the operator of the transmitter Ill. The signs areindicated diagrammatically in Fig. 12 and are illuminated at appropriatetimes by lamps 89 and 9| controlled and operated by electrical circuitsto be described hereinafter.

The recording apparatus shown in detail in Figs. 5 to may, as statedabove, be installed at outlying points or stations more or less remotefrom the transmitter II], and these receiving stations need not have anattendant present when a message is received and stored in them. Therecorder I4, which is identical with the recorder Ma and other recordersconnected to the communication circuit L, comprises a supporting frame93 having forwardly projecting side walls 94 and a front panel 96mounted on hinges 91, permitting the panel to be swung open to giveaccess to the mechanism mounted within the irame and also on the innerface of the panel. Any suitable fastener or lock 98 may be employed tosecure the panel in closed operative position. The paper feed mechanismsupported by the panel includes a roll 99 of individual blanks IEIsupported, preferably in overlapping relationship as shown in Fig. 6, onan elongated belt it)? of any suitable material, the end of the beltbeing secured to a mandrel N33. The belt and supported blanks are rolledtogether around themandrel to form the blank supply roll 99.

The opposite ends of the mandrel I03 are sup ported in inclined slotsinreel supporting bracket arms I85 mounted on the inner face of thehinged panel 96. A rod ID'I extends between the arms and is engaged bythe face of the supply reel.

As the reel is reduced in diameter through use,-

the mandrel will slide down the inclined slots, keeping the face of thereel in contact with the rod IIlI, which thus serves as a brake toprevent overrunning of the wheel after movement of the belt has ceased.A guide plate I68 extends across the width of the reel and is pivotallysupported along one edge on a pivot Hill.v The other'edge rests on thereel under the run of the belt as it is drawn oil. The plate preventsany biank from. following the reel rather than being drawn on with thebelt. A pair of guide strips Ill directs the blanks across and over anidle roller H2 rotatably supported by brackets 1 l lnear the top of thepanel as. From the idler roller II2 the belt I E2 passes downwardlyaround a second idler roller HG rotatably supported by brackets II I,through an elongated opening H8 adjacent the bottom edge of the panel,and from there to a belt take-up reel HQ rotatably mounted on the spacedarms IZI of a bracket secured to the sup porting shelf I22 provided atthe bottom of the panel 96 on the outside. The take-up reel is receivedin slots I23 in the bracket arms iii. With the above-disclosedarrangement of pivoted guide plate I68 and guide strips I I I, it is notnecessary to overlap the blanks on the supporting belt of the supplyreel in order to feed them across the roller H2, as the plate and stripsinsure this operation. Nevertheless, even when the plate and strips areemployed, it will usually be preferable to overlap the blanks in orderto provide as many blanks as possible with a given length of belt. Thearrangement of the plate Hi8 and inclinedl slots in the bracket arms N36is such that the plate remains substantially tangent to the supply rollat all times.

The take-up reel may be driven by any suitable mechanism such, forexample, as a motor I2 l mounted on the outside of the panel 93 abovethe reel and operatively connected to it through gearing I26. The motorshaft E21 extends above motor housing and is provided with a fan or thelike I28 for Ventilating and cooling the housing,

A third idler roller are, generally similar to the idler roller H2, ismounted in brackets I3! at the bottom of the panel 96 adjacent the panelslot H8. An endless belt i152 passes over the Vertically spaced idlerrollers IIZ and I29.

It will be apparent that the belts I02 and 132 form the moving sidewalls of a chute having sta framing impulse or other signal.

The recording blanks pass down the chute to the recording mechanismwhich lie beneath. As illustrated, the belts diverge slightly from topto bottom. Obviously, operation of the take-up reel 1 I9 unwinds thebelt it? and the associated blanks from the supply reel 91%, drawingthem over the upperidler roller H2 and the belt I32, these parts movingtogether. As indicated in Fig. 6, unwinding of the belt I02 and theblanks IllI releases the latter one at a time, permitting them to dropinto position to be delivered to the re cording cylinder under controlof a. phasing or This position is definitely determined by stops in theform of ledges I35 at the lower ends of stop lingers I3! extendingdownwardly from the shelf I22." A pair of cooperating fingers 538extending downwardly from the bearing brackets Hi! is located to oneside of the stop fingers lei and guides the lower edge of the biank intoengagement with the stops I36.

A recording cylinder I39 is mounted on a shaft i-il rotatably supportedin the side walls 94- of came any suitable source of power such as amotor I42 through worm gear I43, A circumferential series of blankholding teeth I44 extends around thecylinder I39 near one of its endsand projects beyond its periphery a suflicient distance to pierce ablank and hold it on the cylinder in the manner described hereinafterand in the patent referred to above. The shape of the individual teethmay be varied, but a. more or less saw-toothed shape has been found tobe satisfactory. The transmitter cylinder 38 (Fig. 12),

as stated previously, is also similar to the teeth I44.

A peripheral groove I46 is formed in the cylprovided with .teeth indterand receives a finger I41 secured to a rod I48 rotatably mounted in theadjacent frame side wall 94 through which it extends. The projecting endof the rod I48 carries a switch actuating arm I49 for operating a switchII mounted on the side wall. A torsional spring I52 surrounding the rodI43 has one end secured to the frame side wall and the other to a collarI53 which is fastened on the rod I48 for normally pressing the fingerI41 into the slot I46. Obviously, when a blank is in position on thecylinder I39, the finger I41 is held out of the groove I46, thus raisingthe switch actuating arm I49. The function of the switch I 5| will bedescribed in connection with a description of the operationv of theentire system disclosed by Figs. 12 to 14 of the drawings.

A blank I8I, which is in the position shown in Fig. 6, with its loweredge resting on the ledges I36 of the two stop fingers I 31, isdelivered to the rotating recording cylinder I39 at the desired momentby a pusher mechanism which is illustrated as being composed of groovedrollers I54 rotatably supported on one end of a frame I56 connected tothe projecting end of a core I51 of a solenoid I58 biased by tensionsprings I59 away from the recordingcylinder. The rollers are grooved toaccommodate the fingers I31. When the solenoid I58 is energized, in thisinstance through the medium of a phasing pulse received from thetransmitter, the grooved rollers I54 are projected against the adjacentedge of the blank I 8|, forcing it against the teeth I44 of the rotatingcylinder which pierces the blank and draws it onto the cylinder.

A frictionally driven contact brush I6I (Figs.-

1 to 9) cooperating with a stationary commutator ring I62 of insulatingmaterial having a conally so as to engage the pivoted armature I15 of aclutch releasing magnet I16 (Fig. 5) secured on a bracket I11, whichdepends from the side tact segment I63 controls the time of energizationof the solenoid I58 in accordance with the phasing pulse received fromthe transmitter.

The insulating commutator ring I62 is secured by suitable fasteningmeans, such as the screws I64, to the inside surface of the left handside frame 94; The brush I6I is mounted on a ring I65 which isadjustably secured to the driven member I66 of a frictional drivingdevice by screw I68 (Fig. 9) projecting through arcuate slots I69. Thedriving member of the frictional driving device is in the form of asleeve or bushing I18 which receives a. collar I1I secured thereto by aset screw I12. The sleeve I18 is slotted at I68 to receive a set screwI61 which secures the sleeve I18 and the collar "I to the shaft MI. Thecollar I1I maintains two friction members I13 and I88 in frictionaldriving engagement with the driven member I66 and the ring I65, respecftively, by compression of a spider-shaped spring member I89. The drivenmember I66 is proframe 94. The angular position of the brush I6I withrespect to the stop arm I14 is adjustable by loosening the screws I68.The sleeve I10 with its assembled parts may be adjusted axially of theshaft MI by loosening the set screw I61.

A presser roller I18 (Fig. 6) is rotatably mounted on a stem I19projecting outwardly from a bracket arm I 8| supported on the side frame94. A spring I82 draws the roller I18 yieldingly against the face of.the cylinder to hold a blank I8I against twisting when it is strippedfrom the cylinder.

As soon as a blank is removed from the ledges I36 of the stop fingers I31 and is delivered to the recording cylinder upon occurrence of aframing pulse, the take-up reel H9 is operated, drawing the belt I82 offthe supply roll 99 until the next blank is deposited on the stop fingerledges. This serves to stop further operation of the takeup reel in amanner now to be described. The mechanism for controlling the operationof the take-up reel II9 through its motor I24 is shown in Figs. 10 and14 as comprising a photocell I83 located in a housing I84 hung below theshelf I22 on the hinged panel 96. A lamp I85 for exciting the photocellis mounted opposite the photocell so that light directed from the lampby a reflector I86, or other means, is cut or: from the cell by thepresence of a blank on the stop fingers I 31. This serves to open thecircuit of the take-up reel motor I24, as hereinafter de scribed, anddiscontinues the feeding of another blank until the proper time.

A recording stylus I81 and its associated mechanism are mounted on andin a scanning carriage I88 which is supported for scanning movementlongitudinally of the cylinder I39 on a rod I9I by a. beveled roller I92mounted in a bracket I93 secured to the bottom of the carriage. Aninverted U-shaped bracket I94 on the back of the carriage slidablyembraces a guide rod I95. It will be apparent that the scanning carriageI88 can be easily removed from the machine merel by lifting it off thesupport and guide rods and be as easily replaced. The stylus I 81 isconnected by a wire I96 to the projecting end of the vertically movablearmature I91 of a stylus magnet I98 also mounted on the scanningcarriage I88.

A half-nut I99 is located beneath the scanning carriage for verticalmovement into and out of engagement with a'feed screw 28I, the latter ofwhich is mounted for rotation in the frame side walls 94 and is drivenfrom the shaft I4I of the recording cylinder I39 through gearing 282. Asimilar feed screw and half-nut is provided in the transmitter I8, asstated above. Other gears may be substituted for the gears 282 to varythe number of lines scanned per inch, and for this reason they arelocated in a readily accessible position on the outside of the frame.

Scanning movement of the carriage I88 occurs when a half-nut magnet 283(Fig. 5), mounted on the carriage, is energized to shift the halfthe endof a scanning operation the half-nut is disengaged from the feed screwand the carriage returned to its original position at the left of Fig. 5by a carriage return spring 284 connected be- 9 tween the side wall 94and the inverted U-shaped bracket I94 secured to the carriage.

The circumference of the recording cylinder I39 is such that, when ablank 32 is wrapped around the cylinder for scanning, its edges overlapslightly to afford a smoother path for the stylus and to keep it fromtouching the cylinder. Each blank has a beveled corner 206 (Fig. 11)formed in such a way that, when the blank is on the cylinder, the bevelprovides an open space between the edges at one end. This space permitsa stripping finger 2H1, extending upwardly from the armature 2080f amagnet 209, to be inserted through the open space and under a blank forthe purpose of stripping it from the cylinder. The armature 208 ispivoted on a pin 2 and biased by a coil spring 2I2 into inoperativeposition, This magnet assembly is adjustably mounted in slots 2I4 in abracket 2I6, the latter being adjustably mounted by means of slots 2I'Ion a hanger 2I8 below the frame 93. By this means the stripper finger isadjustable diametrically and longitudinally of the scanning drum. Achute or other receptacle 2I5 (Fig. 6) receives the mes-. sage blankswhich are removed from the cylinder by the stripper finger, This chutemay, if desired, be provided with a locked closure so that only anauthorized person may have access to the recorded messages.

At the right hand end of the recording cylinder a guid plate 220 isprovided for guiding the blank lIlI as it is drawn onto the cylinder,and a circular guide strip 22I extends around a substantial part of thesame end of the cylinder to keep the blank at that end from moving awayfrom the cylinder.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 5 and 6, the operation of themechanical features of the recorder thus far described will be obvious.As suming a blank to be in feeding position on the ledges I36 of thestop fingers I31, upon receipt of a framing impulse the magnetl58 isenergized,

causing the presser rollers I54 to be projected to the right in Fig. 6,pressing the lower edge of the blank into engagement with the rotatingcylinder I39, the teeth I44 of which penetrate the blank and cause it tobe wrapped around the cylinder with its edges overlapping except at thebevel 20 3. Removal of the blank from the stop fingers I31 uncovers thereflector I86, permitting the lamp I85 to excite the photocell I83 toclose the circuit of the paper feed motor I24, causing the take-up reelto draw the belt I02 off the supply roll 99 until the next blank hasbeen released and drops onto the stop finger I31, cut ting off light tothe cell and discontinuing further blank feeding.

During the scanning operation the carriage feed screw 2M is rotated fromthe motor I42 through the cylinder drive shaft MI and driving "blank maybe placed in the supply roll so that or repair upon merely opening thispanel. A

safety switch 222 (Fig. 14) in the power line to of the fact that thesupply of recording blanks is approaching the point of depletion, oneexpedient which is contemplated is the'inclusion in the series of blanksof one having a different marking or color than the others. Such acolored it will be followed by a predetermined small number of otherblanks before the supply is exhausted.

Upon noting the appearance of such a distinc .tlvely colored blank, theattendant may makepreparations for ,the substitution of a new supislabeled A.

ply roll of blanks in time to prevent the recorder from becomingdisabled by reason of the exhaustion of the supply of recording blanks.

The operation of the system will be described in conjunction with Figs,12 to 14 of the drawings taken together. It is assumed that theequipment shown by these three figures is idle and that the alternatingcurrent bus bars A and B at the transmitting and receiving apparatus areconnected to a source of power. An operator at the transmitter desiringto send one or more copies of a message to one of the recorders I4operates the handle 69 of the copy selecting and starting switch I1 tothe I position marked dial, operating a relay 224 by reason of a circuitextending from the B bus bar through the collector ring 63, the brusharm 62, the wiper arm 59, one of the contact studs *BI, and the windingof the relay 224 to the A bus bar of the alternating current supply. Amake contact 226 of the relay 224 causes energization of a relay 221from the bus bars A and B.

The closure of the make contact 228 of the relay '22] connects the A busbar of the alternating current source to a secondar bus bar which 7Connected between the bus bar A and the bus bar B are the exciter lamp33, the driving motor 3I for the scanning cylinder 30 and the feed screwfor advancing the carriage, which houses the optical scanning apparatus,and, also, the motor. for driving the light chopper disc 32.

Also, a rectifier 229 for providing direct current signaling potentialsis connected to the alter-nating current source. It is presumed that theamplifier I9 is at all times conditioned for operation. The exciter lamp33 being energized, an unmodulated carrier current of maximum amplitudeis generated by the reflection of the light from the cylinder 30 and istransmitted over the conductors of the communication circuit L to beemployed at the selected receiving station in a manner to gears 2.02 toproduce the necessary scanning movement of the carriage and styluslongitudinally of the rotating cylinder. Incoming facsimile signalscause the stylus to record the incoming messages on the blank inpositionon the scanning cylinder, When the scanning opera-- tion is completed,the half-nut is disengaged from the carriage feed screw, permitting thecarriage to be returned .to its starting position by the spring 204.Also, the stripper magnet 239 is energized, causing the stripper fingerto strip the recorded blank from the cylinder.

'It will be apparent that the entire blank feeding mechanism is mountedon the hinged front panel 96 and is readily accessible 'for adjustmentbe described,

Another make contact 23I on the relay 224 energizes an impulse producingdialing relay 232 from the bus bar 13 through the impulseproducingcontacts 234 of the dial mechanism I6 to the secondary bus bar A. Themake contact 235 of the dialing relay 232 connects the line conductor D2to the negative pole of the rectifier 222 by way of the break contact231 of a relay 2% and the break contact 235 of the ground transfer relay235. The relay 238 is deenergized at this time, since the tongue of thepolar relay 24 is in its midposition. The relay 239 is also deenergized,since the circuit for its operating coil is-open at a break contact 24Iof the relay 224.

The dialing mechanism It is manipulated to transmit impulses to thepolar relays 25 (Fig. 13) of the recorders on the communication circuitL in accordance with the predetermined code to and/or positioning of theteeth 218.

zas'ie select the recorder I4 with which communication is desired. Theseimpulses in the nature of interruptions of the negative potentialapplied to L2 at the tongue and make contact 236 of the relay 232operate the mechanism of a selector 243 (Fig. 13) from the tongue andcontacts of the associated polar relay 25. The selector 243 is of thewell-known Gill selector type which operates in response to thepredetermined series of signals to close a set of contacting e ementssuch as 244. The contacting elements 244 are normally open and closeonly after the operating coil 246 of the selector has been energized anddeenergized in a predetermined manner in accordance with a predeterminedseries of signals. Power for operating the mechanism of the selector 243is obtained through a rectifier and filter combination 241 from analternating current source which is connected to the alternating currentbus bars A and B of Fig. 13.

Upon completion of the dialing operation, the contacting elements 244 ofthe selector 243 are closed to energize a relay 248 from the alternatingcurrent bus bars. The first relay tongue and make contact 25I of therelay 2-48 connects the alternating current source to the recorder I4 byway of the operating coil of a load responsive relay 253 from which thecircuit may be traced from Fig. 13 into Fig. 14 as a continuation of thebus bar B to the amplifier 254 and by Way or switch 222 to the bus barA. After the cathode heaters and filaments of the vacuum tubes in anamplifier 254 (Fig. 14) are heated, the alternating current signalgenerated in the photocell I8 and applied to the line conductors LI andL2 through the condensers 29 causes operation of a relay 256 from theoutput of this amplifier. Through a make contact 251 of this relay theinput circuit of a vacuum tube 258 is energized to cause plate currentto flow in the plate circuit thereof, thereby energizing a relay 26Iconnected in series with the output circuit of the tube. The closure ofthe make contact .262 of this relay connects the bus bar A through thepanel safety switch 222 to a conductor 263 which energizes the drivinmotor I42 for the recording cylinder I39 and the carriage feed screw 20LThe resulting increased flow M current in the operating coil of therelay 253 (Fig. 13), due to the operating load of the recorder I4,causes this relay to operate so that its tongue and make contact 264bridges the tongue and make contact 25I of the relay 248, permittingthis last-named relay to be de-energized in a manner to be explained,without shutting down the recorder I4.

With a recording blank IOI 'on the ledges I36 of the stop fingers I31 inreadiness to be applied to the recording cylinder I39, the positive poleof a suitable source of direct current signaling potential is connectedto the line conductor LI through the break contact 269 of the blanksupply'control relay 21I, the break contact 212 of a. relay 213, and thebreak contact 214 of the relay 26I. A code disc 216 (Fig. 13) driven bya. motor 211 identifies the selected recorder I4 by means of code teeth218 which operate a pair of contacts 219 connected in the line LI. Thedisc 216, for each recorder connected to the communication circuit L,has a distinctive number A condenser 28I provides a path for thealternating current generated in the photocell I8 of the transmitter I9.

At the transmitting station the tongue of the other desired signalingdevice. circuit for the buzzer extends from the A bus.

polar relay 24 vibrates against the contactin response to the positivepotential on line LI to sound the answer code on a buzzer 284 or Theenergizing two copies of a given message to the selected receiver andtherefore the copy selector switch.

I1 will be moved from the Dial position to the No. 2 position. This willrelease relay 224 and relay 232. The de-energization of relay 232 willremove the negative potential from the line L2,

The eifect at the recorder of the removal of the negative potential.from line L2 is to center thetongue of the polar relay 25, therebyopening the contacts 244 of the selector 246 to release the relay 248.The code motor 211 stops and the interrupter contacts 219 areshortcircuited at a break contact 288 of the relay 24B. De-energizationof the relay 224 which, as just explained, occurred upon moving theswitch I1 to the No. 2 position, connects the contact M of the polarrelay 24 to the chute magnet 42. The chute magnet is energized at thistime from the bus bar A, through the contact M of the polar relay 24,the break contact 24I of relay 224 and a break contact 29I of a relay292 to the bus bar B. The tongue of the polar relay 24 is on its Mcontact because of the positive potential applied to line LI in themanner explained above. The Deposit message sign 81 is illuminated bythe lamp 89 connected in parallel with the operating coil of the chutemagnet 43. Energization of the chute magnet 43 withdraws the closure 4|from the upper end of the chute 29' so that the message sheet 41, havinga previously inscribed message thereon, may be inserted therein, afterwhich it is conveyed by gravity to the scanning cylinder 30.

As soon as the message sheet 41 is mounted on the scanning cylinder, theswitch 48 is closed, thereby energizing the relay 292 which causesde-energization of the chute magnet 43 and extinguishes the Depositmessage lamp 89. Thus the chute is closed to prevent the insertion ofother sheets. Energization of the relay 292 connects the bus bar 13 toone terminal of the half nut magnet 39 through a make contact 294 of therelay 292. The other terminal of the half nut magnet is connected to thebusbar A through the break contact 24I of the relay 224 and the contactM of the polar relay 24. The half nut engages the feed screw therebyimparting scanning motion to the carriage 34 containing the scanningapparatus. The lamp 9| is connected in parallel with the winding of thehalf nut magnet which becomes illuminated to illuminate the Messagebeing transmitted sign 88. The closure of a make contact 296 of the halfnut magnet 39 connects the positive terminal of the rectifier 229 to theline L2 through the break contact 231 of the relay 238, a break contact291 of the relay 232, a break contact 298 of a relay 299, and a makecontact 39I of the relay 2.39. Therelay 239 was energized at the breakcontact 24I of the relay 224 upon movement of the copy selector switchI1 from the .Dial position.

'incler I39.

At the recorder the tongue of the three-position polar relay 26connected to the line conduct'or L2 moves to the contact M in responseto the positive potential applied to the conductor L2 upon energizationof the transmitter half n'ul; magnet 39. The winding of a relay 383 isthus connected between the bus bars A and B and consequently isenergized to operate its contacts. A make contact 384 of relay 303 isconnected to shunt the break contact 269 of the relay 2'II for a purposeto be fully described hereinafter. Even though abreak contact 396 of therelay 303 is opened, theprimary coil of a transformer 30! is maintainedenergized by a circuit extending through a make contact 308 of thisrelay and a break contact 309 of a relay 3.

(3n the next succeeding revolution of the transfnitte'r cylinder 30following the energization of the half nut magnet 3t, an area 3I4 (Fig.12) on the message sheet 47-, which is somewhat less light reflectivethan the remainder of the sheet, is scanned'to generate an alternatingcurrent signal having a minimum amplitude. Reception of this signal atthe recorder momentarily deenerient source of direct current through abreak o'ontact 3I8 of a relay 3I9, the magnet I76, break contact 3I6 ofthe relay 256, and the make contact 32I of the relay 303, to ground. Thearmature I15 of the magnet ITG is moved from engagement with the stoparm I14 for the frictionally urged framing brush lei, and allows thegreater than the minimum amplitude, the relay -3'I I is maintainedenergized independently-of the relay 255. The break "contact 309 of therelay -3-I I dc-energizes the transformer 391' and exting uish'e's thelight 185 temporarily. The closure of a make contact-324 of there'lay 3Hcompletes a circuit from -a source 32? of direct current through thewinding of the phasing magnet I58.

This magnet actuates the rollers I54 which force the blank IIlI *into'aposition where it is gripped by the teeth I44 of the recording cylinderI39 and i'sthus wrapped around the cylinder in position for recording.The removal offthe blank "IOI from in front of the "photoelectric cellI83 does not produce any result at this time because the light I85 isextinguished. As soon as the advancing edge of the recording blankreaches the arm I41, the switch I5! controlled thereby is closed. Thisoperation connects the winding of the relay '3 I9 between the bus bars'Aand-B, thereby operating-the contacts-ofthi's relay. The

"opening of the break contact 313 deenergizes the relay 3, but connectedin parallel with the winding of this relay is a condenser 3'29 which isofsufi-lcient size to delay the release or" the contacts of this relayuntil the recording blank is completely mounted 'upon the recording cyl-After this operation has been completed the contacts of the relay 3 arereleased,

thereby de'ener'gizing the phasing magnet I58. The closure'of the breakcontact-309 of the retime lay 3 again energizes the'transformer' 30Iandoperates the light I to excite the photoelectric cell I83,' therebyenergizing the input circuit of a vacuum tube 33I.

Connected in the output circuit of this tube- 33| is the relay 2' whichthus becomes energized to close its make contact 333, thereby connectingone terminal of the blank feed motor I24 to the bus bar B. The otherterminal of this motor is connected through the make contact 262 of therelay 251 and the switch 222 to the A bus bar. The operation of thismotor conveys one of the recording blanks IOI from the supply roll 99into a position to be mounted subsequently upon the recording cylinder,in which position the light falling upon the photocell I83 isinterrupted. The vacuum tube 33I thereupon becomes inoperative,releasing the relay 2' to stop the motor I24. Release of the relay 2'permits positive direct current potential to be connected through thebreak contact 265 of the relay 21I, through a break contact 21.2 of therelay 213, and through the make contact 214 of the relay 26I, to theline conductor LI, as stated above, to provide the acknowledging signal.

The opening of the break contact 25 3 of the relay 2?! in response tooperation of the vacuum tube 33I opens one circuit from the positivesource of potential. However, this potential is not .disconnected fromthe line conductor LI by reason of the shunt path provided through themake contact 3534 of the relay 303.

The operation of the relay 319 in response to the mounting of therecording blank upon the cylinder I39 completes a circuit from the busbar A through a make contact 342 of this relay, through windings of thehalf nut magnet 203 and the stylus magnet I99 in parallel, to the busbar B. The stylus I8! is thus moved into recording position in contactwith the blank "II and the half nut is moved into engagement with thefeed screw, thereby imparting a scanning movement to the carriage.

As the facsimilesignals generated at the transmitter are received at therecorder, they are applied, after inversion and amplification, to therecording blank for the reproduction of the subject matter being scannedat the transmitter. These signals also are applied to the relay 256,which will vibrate as the amplitude of the signals varies betweenmaximum and minimum values, but the closure of the break contact 3H5 ofthis relay is ineffective to operate the relay 31 I, since the operatingcircuit of this relay is open at the break contact -3 I8 of the relaySIB. The

opening and closing of the contact .257 of relay 253 alternatelyenergizes and de-energizes the input circuit of the vacuum tube 258,but; this circuit is provided with means for delaying thede-energizat-ion thereof during the interval of time that the contact251 is open. This is accomplished by providing a condenser 3'43connected between the gridof .the tube and .a source of negativepotential. When the contact 251 is closed, this condenser is charged toa potential to a 'valuewhich is insufficient to. maintain the relayZB-Ioperated. However, the values of .the

-' condenser 3'43 and'the-leak resistor 344 arecho-sen so that the platecircuit of the tube 258 draws suflicient current during the normaloperation of recording that the relay 26! remains operated.

At the transmitter, when the carriage 34 containing the scanningapparatus has advanced to the end Of its movement, a normally openswitch 341, operated by the carriage, is closed, thereby closing acircuit from the bus bar B through the Winding of the relay 299, and anormally closed carriage operated switch 348, to the bus bar A. Relay 2%is thus energized and locked at its make contact 349 to open its breakcontact 296 and thereby disconnect the positive potential from the lineconductor L2. Closure of the contact 349, in addition to locking therelay 299,

energizes the stepping magnet 83 of the copy selecting switch I1 to stepits contact arm 59 from the No. 2 stud to the No. 1 stud.

At the recorder, the disconnection of positive potential from lineconductor L2 disengages the armature of the polar relay 26 from itsright hand contact M and thereby opens the operating circuit for therelay 303. The release of this relay closes a circuit from positivepotential, through a make contact 350 of the relay 3I9, the winding ofthe relay 336, and a break contact 35I of the relay 303, to ground.Operation of the relay 336 closes a circuit through its make contact 352to connect the winding of the blank stripping magnet 209 between the busbars A and B. The sheet containing the recording is thus removedfrom-the cylinder I39, permitting the switch I5I to open. Relay 3I9 isthus released and the closure of a break contact 353 of this relaycompletes a circuit from the bus bar A through a make contact 354 of therelay 336, through the winding of the relay 213, and a break contact 356of a relay 351, to the bus bar B. Relay 213 is thus operated and lookedthrough its make contact 359. When the relay 213 is energized and lockedthrough its own contact, positive potential is removed from the lineconductor LI.

It will be noted that the operating circuit of the stripping magnet 209includes the make contact 352 of the relay 336, which, at the time thatthe relay 3l9 is released by the opening of switch I5I controlled by therecording sheet, is de-energized by the opening of the make contact 350of relay 3l9. However, a condenser 363 is provided in parallel with thewinding of the relay 336 which delays the release of its contacts untilafter the sheet had been completely removed from the cylinder.

The removal of the positive potential from the line conductor Llproduces a response at the transmitter by the polar relay 24 whereby thearmature of this relay is disengaged from its contact M to de-energizethe half nut magnet 39, thereby opening the contacts 296 and permittingthe return of the carriage 34 to its original position.

Energization of the relay 213 (Fig. 14) also connects negative potentialthrough the break contact 365 of the relay 3I9, the make contact 361 ofthe relay 213 and the make contact 214 of the relay 26I to the lineconductor LI.

At the transmitting station, the negative potential connected to theline conductor LI effects operation of the tongue of the polar relay 24to its contact S. The normally closed carriage operated switch 348 isopened upon return of the carriage 34 to its starting point which causesthe relay 299 to be unlocked. The bus bar A is connected to the windingof the relay 238 16 4 which is connected to the B bus bar via a breakcontact 369 of the relay 299. It is to be noted that the relay 238cannot operate until the carriage 34 has returned to the startingposition and the relay 299 has been released by opening of the switch348. A make contact 31| of the relay 238 connects the negative pole ofthe direct current signaling source 299 to line conductor L2. The polechanging relay 239 is disconnected from the bus bar A at the contact Mof the polar relay 24.

Atthe recorder, in response to the negative potential on L2, the tongueof the polar relay 26 engages the contact S. A circuit is thus closedfor operation of the relay 351 through a break contact 310 of the rela336, the latter being de-energized at this time. Opening of the breakcontact 356 of the relay 351 opens the locking circuit for relay 213,thereby releasing this reterminal of the rectifier 229 is againconnected lay. The opening of the make contact 361 01 the relay 213removes the negative potential from the line conductor LI. Positivepotential is restored to the line conductor Ll from the break contact269 of the relay 21L The tongue of the polar relay 24 at the transmitteris engaged with its contact M. In this manner the half nut magnet 39 isagain energized and transmission of the message will be repeated sincethe relay 292 remains energized because of the presence of the messagesheet 41 on the cylinder 30 thereby maintaining one terminal of the halfnut magnet 39 in communication with the bus bar B. The positive to theline conductor L2 in the manner explained above.

In response to the positive potential on the line conductor L2, thetongue of the polar relay 26 again engages the contact M to energize therelay 303. The blank in position on the ledges I36 is applied to therecording cylinder I39 in register with the message sheet 41 at thetransmitter. The relay 3I9 is operated to energize the stylus magnet I98and the half nut magnet 203.

At the end of the second transmission of the message inscribed on themessage sheet 41, the carriage operated switch 341 is again closed toenergize the relay 299 and thereby disconnect positive potential fromthe line conductor L2. The blank stripping magnet 209 at the recorder isenergized by reason of the centering of the tongue of polar rela 26which de-energizes the relay 393 in the manner described above.

Energization of the relay 299 at the transmitter also steps the contactarm 59 of the copy selecting switch I1 from the No. l stud to the oil"stud. A circuit is thus established from the bus bar A through thewinding of the sheet stripping magnet 5I and the contact arm 59 to thebus bar B. As soon as the message sheet 41 has been removed from thecylinder, the switch 48 is opened, de-energizing the relay 292. Onecircuit for the relay 221 extending between the bus bars A and B isbroken when the contact arm 59 leaves the No. 1 contact stud. This relayremains energized, however, through a make contact 314 of the relay 292until this last-named relay is tie-energized following removal of themessage sheet from the cylinder. De-energization of the relay 221disconnects power from the machine by opening the connection from thebus bar A to the bus bar A.

The scanning apparatus which is (le -energized upon release of the relay221 no longer supplies 17 carrier current to the line conductors LI andL2. At the recorder the absence of carrier current causes release of therelay 256, and at a predetermined time following release of this relay,the timing apparatus associated with the input circuit of the vacuumtube 258 becomes effective to open the plate circuit and causes releaseof the relay 26%. ening of the contact 25?. of this relay disconne tsthe bus bar A from the driving motor I42 and the primary winding of thetransformer 301, and unlocks the relay 213. In this manner power isdisconnected from the recordine apparatus and it is restored to its idlecondition. The load-responsive relay 253 of the selector and controlmechanism i2 (Fig. 13) will be released when power is disconnected fromthe recorder I4 so that in order to connect power to this recorderagain, it will be necessary to repeat the dialing and selecting processdescribed above.

As a result of the operation of the transmitter I and the recorder itjust described, two copies of the message inscribed on the message sheet41 will have been deposited in the chute 2 l 9 adjacent to the cylinderE38 of the recorder la. The person or persons for whom these messagesare intended will remove them from his chute and op erate a relay 316 bymoving its operating knob 31! to the left as viewed in Fig. 13. Thiscloses a pair of contacts 3'18 to energize a holding magnet 3'59 whichattracts the armature sec to maintain the contacts 318 and an additionalpair of contacts 3M closed. A piece of insulating material 3852 securedto the supporting spring for the armature 380 and the handle member 31?operates the relatively movable contact of each of the pairs of contacts3T8 and 38! respectively. A cam disc 383, which is driven with the disc215 from the motor 211, is provided with a cam projection 384 forclosing a. pair of contacts 386 once for each revolution of the disc inthe example shown. The contacts 38!, when closed, bridge the camoperated contacts 33% across the cam operated contacts 219. The angularrelationship between the cams 218 and 383 is such that the latter willnot in any way alter the signal produced by the former but will add itsown characteristic signal. In the example shown, the contacts 386 willadd a long dash to the series of dots produced by the contacts 219. Apush button may be employed to operate the relay 316, or if secrecy isdesired, a switch operated by means of a key may be employed. Also, ifdesired, the relay 316 may be operated by a switch arranged to beoperated when a closure for the bin H9 is opened to gain access to thecopy or copies of the received messages. This switch will be effectivelylocked against unauthorized operation in installations in which theclosure is provided with a key or combination lock. The relay 315 mayalso be used to indicate to the operator at the transmitter that thesupply of blanks NH is low or is exhausted, or other desired informationmay be furnished.

At any time following transmission of a message to a selected recorder,the operator at the transmitter may check pick-up of the message at therecorder by dialing the same recorder. No message need be sent to shutdown the recorder after it has been selected for this purpose. If therelay has been operated at the recorder the identifying code followed bya long dash will be received. When the operator i satisfied that themessage has been picked up, the selected recorder may be shut down bymoving the switch I! to any one of the numbered positions.

This will release the relay 248 (Fig. 13) at the recorder in the man--ner described above. A break contact 388 of this relay causes a relay389 to be energized thereby releasing the relay 316. The switch I! isthen moved to the off position which will remove the carrier from thecommunication circuit and cause the recorder to be shut down in themanner described above.

The nature of the invention may be ascertained from the foregoingdescription of an illustrative embodiment thereof. The scope of theinvention is defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a facsimile telegraph system, a transmitter, a plurality ofrecorders, a communication circuit for providing facsimile communicationbetween said transmitter and said recorders, selective means one at eachof said recorders responsive to a predetermined coded calling signal forplacing the recorder associated therewith in operative condition forfacsimile reception, and means at said transmitter for initiatingtransmission of a message to a recorder when it is selectively placed inoperation.

2. In a facsimile telegraph system, a transmitter and a recorderinterconnected for communication, each having a sheet supportingcylinder and means for conveying singly a succession of sheets to therespective cylinders, means for operatively conditioning saidtransmitter to generate a carrier current, selective means at saidrecorder operatively to condition said recorder, and means responsive tosaid carrier current to maintain said recorder in operative condition.

3. In a. facsimile telegraph system, a transmitter and a recorderinterconnected for communication, means for operatively conditioningsaid transmitter to generate a carrier current, means capable ofoperation to transmit a coded signal to said recorder, selective meansat said recorder responsive to said code-d signal operatively tocondition said recorder, means at said transmitter for disconnectingsaid coded signal transmitting means While maintaining said carriercurrent generating means in operation, and means responsive to saidcarrier current to maintain said recorder in operative condition.

4. In a facsimile telegraph system, a transmitter and a recorderinterconnected for communication, respective sources of power for saidtransmitter and said recorder for synchronous operation thereof, meansfor connecting said transmitter to its source of power to render itoperative for facsimile transmission by generating an alternatingcurrent. means at said transmitter for sending a coded signal to saidrecorder, selective means at said recorder responsive to said codedsignal for connecting said recorder to its source of power to renderitoperative for facsimile reception, and other means at said recorderresponsive to said alternating current to maintain said recorderoperative.

5. In a facsimile telegraph system, a transmitter, a plurality ofrecorders, a communication circuit for providing facsimile communicationbetween said transmitter and said recorders, selective means one at eachof said recorders responsive to a predetermined coded calling signal forplacing the recorder associated therewith in operative condition forfacsimile reception, means controlled by the operation of said selectivemeans for signaling the operative condition of the selected recorder tothe transmitter, said signaling means being such as to identify theselected recorder at the transmitter, and means at said transmitter forinitiating transmission of 19 a message to a recorder when it isselectively placed in operation.

6. In a facsimile system, a transmitting machine and a recording machineinterconnected for communication, said transmitting machine havingapparatus for scanning subject matter, said recording machine having ablank supporting cylinder, means for holding a blank on said cylinder,means for locating a blank in predetermined feeding position adjacentsaid cylinder and framing means responsive to said scannin apparatus ata predetermined point in a cycle of operation for applying a blank infeeding position to said cylinder to be engaged by said sheet holdingmeans, said framing means comprising a stationary contact and arotatable contact rotating with said cylinder and being adjustable inangular position with respect to said cylinder whereby to vary the timeof applying said blank in feeding position with respect to saidpredetermined point in the cycle of operation of said scanningapparatus.

7. In a facsimile system, a transmitting machine and a recording machineinterconnected for communication, said transmitting machine havingapparatus for scanning subject matter, said recording machine having ablank supporting cylinder, means for holding a blank on said cylinder,means for locating a blank in predetermined feeding position adjacentsaid cylinder and framing means responsive to said scanning apparatus ata predetermined point in a cycle of operation for apply g a blank infeeding position to said cylinder to be engaged by said sheet holdingmeans, said framing means comprising a stationary contact and a movablecontact, said movable contact deriving its movement from said cylinderand being adjustable in position with respect to said cylinder wherebyto vary the time of applying said blank in feeding position with respecttosaid predetermined point in the cycle of operation of said scanningapparatus.

8. In a facsimile system, a transmitter and a recorder, each having ascanning mechanism, means operable intermittently to convey a successionof single sheets to the mechanism of said recorder, means for operatingsaid transmitter whereby said message may be transmitted and through atransmitting cycle and said recorder through a recording cycle totransmit and record a message and means operative automatically upon thecompletion of a transmitting and recording cycle to effect a repetitionof said transmitting and recording cycles whereby said message may betransmitted and recorded a plurality of times.

9. In a facsimile system, a transmitter and a recorder, each having ascanning mechanism, means operable intermittently to convey a successionof single sheets to the mechanism of said recorder, means for operatingsaid transmitter through a transmitting cycle and said recorder througha recording cycle to transmit and record a message, means operativeautomatically upon the completion of a transmitting and recording cycleto effect a repetition of said transmitting and recording cycles wherebysaid message may be transmitted and recorded a plurality of times andmeans for predetermining the number of successive scanning operations ofsaid transmitter and recorder.

10. In a facsimile telegraph system, a transmitter and a recorderinterconnected for communication, means at said transmitter forgenerating and transmitting a coded signal to said recorder, selectivemeans at said recorder rerecorded a plurality of times.

11. In a facsimile telegraph system, a transmitter and a recorderinterconnected for communication, means at said transmitter forgenerating and transmitting a coded signal to said recorder, selectivemeans at said recorder respc sive to said signal for starting saidrecorder, means for operating said transmitter through a transmittingcycle and said recorder through a recording cycle to transmit and recorda message, means operative automatically upon the completion of atransmitting and recording cycle to cause a repetition of saidtransmitting and recording cycles, and presettable means at saidtransmitter actuated upon each repetition of said transmitting cycle,said presettable means being operative up a predetermined number ofactuations thereof to terminate operation of said transmittingmechanism.

12. In a facsimile telegraph system, a transmitter and a recorderinterconnected for facsimile communication, means at said recorderoperable to produce a repeat signal, a stepping switch at saidtransmitter, means for manually setting said switch to any desiredposition away from its home position, said switch being responsive tosaid repeat signal from said recorder so as to be stepped towards thehome position with each successive operation of said repeat signalingmeans and means operative by said stepping switch when it reaches saidhome position to effect stopping of said transmittin mechanism.

13. In a facsimile telegraph system, a transmitter and a recorderinterconnected for facsimile communication, means operable at saidtransmitter to produce an end-of-message signal, means at said recorderoperable in response to said endof-message means for transmitting arepeat signal to said transmitter, and a stepping switch at saidtransmitter responsive to said repeat signal from said recorder to bestepped toward the circuit opening position with each successiveoperation of said end-of-message signaling means, means for presettingsaid switch a variable number of steps from said open circuit positionand means operated by said switch when it reaches said open circuitposition for interrupting operation of said transmitter.

14. In a facsimile telegraph system, a transmitter, a plurality ofrecorders, a communication circuit interconnecting said recorders withsaid transmitter, selective means at each of said recorders responsiveto a coded signal from said transmitter for connecting the recorder withwhich said selective means is associated to said communication circuit,means at said transmitter for producing coded signals, a combined switchat said transmitter for starting said transmitter and rendering saidcoded signal generating means operable for use when said switch is inone position, and control means for causing said transmitter to operateto transmit subject matter to a selected recorder when said switch is inanother position.

15. In a facsimile telegraph system, a transmitter, a plurality ofrecorders, a communication circuit interconnecting said recorders withsaid transmitter, means at said transmitter for producing coded signals,selective means at each of said recorders responsive to a predeterminedcoded signal from said transmitter for connecting the recorder withwhich said selective means is associated to said communication circuit,a switch at said transmitter, means operative when said switch is in oneposition for starting said transmitter and rendering said coded signalgenerating means operable for transmission of coded signals to saidreceivers, controlling means operative when said switch is in anotherposition for causing said transmitter to operate to transmit facsimilesubject matter to a selected recorder and means operative when saidswitch is in a third position to render said transmitter inoperative.

16. In a facsimile telegraph system, a plurality of facsimile receiversof the type which are selfsupplied with recording paper one sheet at atime, said receivers being associated with a facsimile transmitter forcommunication purposes, means to selectively obtain communicationbetween said transmitter and any one of said receivers, and means tocontrol the supplying of recording paper to the receiver obtained forcommunication.

17. A facsimile telegraph system including a communication channeladapted for the transmission of facsimile and selector control signalsthereover, a plurality of facsimile recorders associated with andavailable for facsimile reception from said channel, a central officetransmitter connected to said channel adapted for selective transmissionto any one of said recorders at a time, and a selector mechanismresponsive to an electrical characteristic of said channel associatedwith each recorder for initiating operation thereof to record facsimilesignals.

18. In a facsimile telegraph system, a communication channel, aplurality of stations interconnected for communication over saidchannel, respective sources of power for said stations for synchronousoperation thereof, means for connecting one of said stations to itssource of power to render it operative for facsimile communicationpurposes, means at said one station for sending a coded signal over saidchannel, and selective means at said other stations responsive to saidcoded signal for selectively connecting said other stations to theirsource of power to render them selectively operative one at a time forfacsimile reception.

19. In a facsimile telegraph system, a communication channel, aplurality of stations interconnected for communication over saidchannel, respective sources of power for said stations for synchronousoperation thereof, means for connecting one of said stations to itssource of power to render it operative for facsimile communicationpurposes, means at said one station for sending a coded signal over saidchannel, selective means at said other stations responsive to said codedsignal for selectively connecting said other stations to their source ofpower to render them selectively operative one at a time for facsimilereception, and means at said other stations to maintain said otherstations operative.

GARVICE H. RIDINGS. RALEIGH J. WISE.

